Toledo Photographer | July 2011 Update | Kurt Nielsen Photography

Ok, yes, I know I am waaaaayyyyy behind in my monthly updates!  Things have been a little crazy around here, so please forgive me!

Looking back at my calendar, July seemed a little slow, but trust me, I definitely was very busy.  Here is a little of what was going on with me and the studio that month.

I started the month with the USJA and USJF Junior National Judo Championship at Owens Community College.
Toledo Sports PhotographerI got to hang out with Chris Spielman at the Belmont Country Club for the Toledo Hospital Foundation‘s annual fundraiser, The Classic.
Unique Toledo Photo BoothI went to the Toledo Botanical Gardens for a tea party.
Toledo Botanical Gardens PhotographerI went to a couple of weddings.
Devil's Lake Wedding PhotographyWeddings in Toledo in the SummerI went swimming at the UT Rec Center.
Toledo St. John's Senior Pics PhotographerI went to a couple of customers houses for family photographs.
Family Photographer Marblehead OHSwanton Family PhotographerI hung out at Wildwood Preserve Metro Park a few times.
Family Photos at Wildwood Metro ParkToledo Engagement PhotographerToledo High School Yearbook PhotographerHigh School Sports PhotographerThere were also a lot of studio shoots, and most of my seniors were both indoor and outdoor for their senior photos.
Senior Photographer in SylvaniaWhitmer High School Senior PhotographerYearbook Photographer for Whitmer High SchoolToledo Senior PhotographerAnd, of course, who doesn’t love dogs and babies and kids!
Toledo Newborn PhotographerToledo Family Photos with PetsCool Baby PhotosChild Photographer in ToledoToddler Photography ToledoToledo Children Photography StudioPhotos of babies in tutusSo, yes, I guess I was a little busy this month.  Wait till you see how busy I will be next month!
Toledo Portrait Studio for Babies and ChildrenFor more information about Kurt Nielsen Photography, please visit my website at: www.kurtnphoto.com or contact me at:

Kurt Nielsen Photography
5431 Schultz Drive
Sylvania, OH 43560
419 885 7153
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Best of the Knot 2012 for Toledo Wedding Photography

Toledo Wedding Photographer Best of The Knot 2012Kurt Nielsen Photography is proud to announce that we have been chosen for the 2012 Best of TheKnot.com for Wedding Photography in the local Toledo market.   This prestigious award is voted on by local brides and grooms.  In order to vote, brides and grooms write reviews for their wedding vendors on WeddingChannel.com, the sister site of The Knot.  They also give a rating for each vendor for overall value, service and quality.  The rating system is determined by the number of stars with 1 star being the lowest and 5 stars being the highest rating for each of the three categories.  The Knot then takes the total number of reviews and ratings and determines the winners for each category in each market.  There are hundreds of wedding photographers in the Greater Toledo Area with 101 of them currently listed on the Wedding Channel website, making this a great honor for me.

Best Wedding Photographers in ToledoThis is my second year in a row for winning the Best of the Knot for Wedding Photography since joining The Knot in April of 2010.  As a winner, I will be listed in a special section on TheKnot.com, WeddingChannel.com and in The Knot Ohio magazine.  The winners list will also be sent to thousands of local brides and grooms via email in January, just in time for the start of the winter bridal show season.

Anyone that participates in a wedding can write a vendor review on WeddingChannel.com.  You don’t have to be the bride.  You can be the groom, Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom or in the wedding party.  It also doesn’t have to be a recent wedding.  It could be a review of my services from whenever you were married (even if I photographed you when I was at Moto Photo!).

Thank you to all of the Brides, Grooms and Parents that voted for me!  You guys are the best and I couldn’t do it without you!

If you would like to write a review of my services (and give me a jump start for next year’s award race), feel free to go to WeddingChannel.com and tell other brides what you think about my services.  Make sure you write reviews for your other wedding vendors also!

Thanks again to all who voted for me!

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Frogtown Rocks with Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes

Looking for ways to help the latest hurricane and flood victims?  Want to help the latest local fire victims?  Feel a need to help those suffering from international disasters like the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan?  Want to have a great time doing all of this?  Come to the Erie Street Market on Sunday, September 18, 2011 for the first annual Frogtown Rocks! benefiting the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund!
Toledo Benefit concert
The local entertainers that are scheduled to perform are:

 Fountain Hall
 1:00-1:45=Johnny Rodriquez/Ronn Daniels
 2:15-3:00=Jeff Stewart
 3:30-4:15=Side of Taylors
4:45-5:30=Abby Ray
 6:00-7:00=Kyle White
 7:30-8:30=Kerry Patrick Clark

 Concert Hall
 1:00-1:45=To Be Announced
 2:15-3:00=Haywire Band
 3:30-4:15=Josh Boyd
 4:45-5:30=The Eight Fifteens
 6:00-7:00=East River Drive
 7:30-8:30=The Maxx Band
 9:00-10:00=Homewreckers

 Atrium
 4:45-5:30=Gianna Wolf
 6:00-7:00=Bruce Lillie

Toledo School for the Arts and local DJ, DeeJay Zman,  will also be performing during the half hour breaks in between the bands.

There will also be amazing local food vendors:

Admiral’s American Grill
A J’s Doolittle’s BBQ
Tina’s Grilled Corn
Rosie’s Italian
Bar 145
Marcos

Other activities include raffles, dancing, giveaways, a cash bar, shopping and of course, Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes green screen photo booth!
Photo Booth Fun

Photo Booth Pricing

Libby Glass Factory Outlet will also be having their Grand Re-opening of their store at the Erie Street Market during this event.

Frogtown Rocks! is from 1pm to 10pm and parking is absolutely FREE!  Advance tickets are $15 and available at these participating Kroger stores:  Woodville Rd., Glendale Ave., Monroe St., Carronade Dr., Jackman Rd., and Spring Meadows.  Tickets will also be available at the door for $20 the day of the event.

Frogtown Rocks! is a benefit for Local, National, and International Disaster Relief Funds of the American Red Cross that will be equally shared. The money that is raised from the generous sponsors, talented musical artists, and outreaching community members is critical funding that any one of us could find ourselves depending on during a time of need. Because there has been so much need recently, funds have been severely depleted.

Kurt Nielsen Photography is proud and excited to be part of this great fund raiser.  Come for an hour or come for the day!  Come on out and support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and our talented local musicians on Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 1pm-10pm.  Don’t forget to stop by our photo booth and have your picture taken for a great cause!  Hope to see you there!

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What Parents Need to Know about Senior Pictures by Kurt Nielsen Photography

Senior Yearbook Pictures                 Senior Picture Examples
Senior pics are not like what they were when we were kids!  Times are changing and so are the ways high school senior portraits look.
Senior Picture Samples                Unique Senior Portraits
Today, Senior Pictures should reflect the senior’s personality and style.  It’s all about them!  They want their senior photos to be creative, fun and unique!  They want to include their pets,
Senior Portrait Ideas                Professional Senior Pictures
their significant other and/or family members,
Senior Picture Photographers                Outdoor Senior Pictures
and they want their friends or teammates.
Unique Senior PicturesThey like bright vivid colors,
High School Senior Pictures                 Senior Pictures Gallery
and crazy, tricked up artwork!
Creative Senior PicturesThey want to show off their car or motorcycles.
Senior PictureSenior Picture PortraitsThey are dancers or cheerleaders.
Senior Picture          Senior Picture Outfits
They play the drums or guitar.
high school pictures          Senior Picture Studio
They play basketball or football,
Senior Picture Photography          High School Football Pictures
lacrosse or baseball.
high school pictures          Senior Picture Photography
Some want their senior portrait session to make them look like models from a magazine cover.
Senior Pics                       Senior Picture Photography
Some just want to relax and be themselves.  It’s all about them!
Senior Pictures Toledo                       Cool Senior Pictures
I don’t limit what they can bring into their senior portraits session (within reason) like some senior photographers.  I just ask you to give me fair warning before hand so that I can be prepared.
High School Senior PortraitsMost of my senior picture photography sessions are both inside at my studio, and outside, usually at Wildwood.  You can expect to spend at least 2 1/1 hours or more counting driving time (for both, one hour if only inside or outside).  If you have a different place you would rather go, that can also be arranged.
Senior Photo GalleriesThe senior should bring at least two outfits (plus dress clothes for the yearbook if required), more would be better, especially if it is hot outside (in case the student sweats during their session).  Just remember, the more times you have to change clothes, the less time we will have for taking pictures.
School Senior Pictures                       Outdoor Senior Photos
Some schools designate a specific photographer for their yearbook pictures.  That does NOT mean you have to purchase your photographs from that photographer, nor does it mean that they have to photograph all of your senior portraits.  You have to go to them for the Yearbook photo only.  It’s up to you (the parent) and your senior student to decide where to go for his/her senior pics.  For the schools that do not designate a specific yearbook photographer, the yearbook picture is included in your senior photo package purchase.
Senior Pictures 2012When is the best time to have your senior portraits taken?  That is a question I get a lot!  I actually, as do most senior portrait photographers, start recruiting senior ambassadors after the students go back to school from winter break of their Junior year.  This way, all my representatives are ready to go before the end of their Junior year.  Most senior pictures are taken in the summer before they start their final year of high school.  There are several reasons for this.  The biggest reason is that there is so much going on for the students once school starts (sports, homework, jobs, etc.).  Plus, there is less time to photograph outside because it starts getting dark earlier, which makes it more difficult to get an appointment with a photographer.  Also, yearbook deadlines are usually in October or early November of your senior year (some may be earlier).  If you want your student to be included in his/her senior yearbook, you must know when the deadline is and make sure that your photography session is scheduled early enough to be able to purchase your yearbook image in time to make the yearbook deadline.  So basically, I photograph high school seniors year round, but the best time is in the summer when there is less going on for the senior student.
Toledo Photos                    Senior Picture Outfit Ideas
Yes, students sometimes change quite a bit in appearance during their senior year.  That is why it is not unusual for many parents to get more photos taken of their senior right before graduation.  Some students also just get their yearbook picture taken in the fall and never get around to taking their actual senior photos.  When spring rolls around and they realize that they need graduation announcement photos (which I do by the way), and they want to get their senior portraits taken.
Photographers for Senior Pictures                       Sports Senior Pictures

All of my senior portrait pricing packages can be found on my website.

Pictures SeniorsAll images from the senior portrait session will be available for viewing through my website.  A few days after the session (as soon as I get them edited and uploaded) you will be given directions on how to view them and the password you will need.  They will be available in the online photo gallery for 30 days.  After the 30 days have expired and if you have not ordered and need them to be re-posted, there is a $25 fee (my lab charges me this amount) to have them re-posted.

Senior Photo Shoot                       2012 Senior Photos

For more information or to schedule your senior portrait photo session, please call Kurt Nielsen Photography at (419) 885-7153.

Senior Picture Studios in Toledo

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Toledo Photographer-June 2011 Update by Kurt Nielsen Photography

Almost all of my photo shoots for the month of June were on location and it started out with me taking Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes Green Screen Photo Booth to Ottawa Hills 6th grade dance!
Middle School Dance Ideas
I went to a Bar Mitzvah.
Bar Mitzvah Pictures
That same night, Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes was at the Old Mill Banquet Hall in Dundee Michigan for Lyndsay’s graduation party!
Graduation Party Ideas

Wedding Reception Ideas
A band I photographed a couple of months ago, got a new drummer, so I took more pictures where they were playing.
Burn Downspeed Images
I went to Woofers Delight on Central Ave. to photograph pets with my Green Screen.
Toledo Pet Photographer

Pet Photographer in Toledo
My niece graduated with honors from Whitmer High School!
High School Graduation Pictures
I had a couple of expectant mothers come in for their maternity photo sessions.
Toledo Maternity Portraits

Maternity Photography in Toledo
One of my Senior Ambassadors met me at Wildwood Preserve Metropark for her outdoor senior picture session (she had her indoor session in early spring).
Senior Pics
And she brought along a couple of her favorite people!
Senior Picture Ideas
I photographed a new Senior Ambassador.
Toledo Senior Photos
I had a senior from the Class of 2011 come in to do graduation pictures and photos of his new Hockey State Championship ring!
St. Francis de Salles Hockey

Senior Portrait Pictures
I photographed a few engagement sessions for weddings I will be photographing.
2nd Marriage Pictures

Unique Engagement Pictures

Engagement Picture Ideas

Engagement Photo Ideas
I photographed two weddings at Ramada Hotel.
Toledo Hotel Weddings

Wedding Album Portraits
I took Kristee and Shawn and their families and their wedding party to Wildwood to get some formal wedding photos (their actual wedding was on Sept. 11, 2010 in Las Vegas!).  Wedding Pictures at the Park
Then we went to Dusseau’s Reception Center for their wedding reception and we made a scrapbook with the prints they got from our Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes green screen photo booth!
Wedding Scrapbook Ideas
I had a couple of babies come into the studio for their photo sessions.
Baby Pictures

Newborn Baby Pictures
I went to the United Jewish Counsil’s annual meeting and awards presentation, where quite a few of my customers received honors.
United Jewish Counsil Photographs

Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo Pictures
A lot of people took advantage of my July special, Portraits in the Park!
Pictures of Children

Photos of Children

Family Picture Photographer

Family Portrait Studio

Location Photographer
As you can see, June was a very busy month, just ask my car!  Thanks for your business!
Portraits of Siblings

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Toledo Portrait Photographer May 2011 Update by Kurt Nielsen Photography

May was another busy month for Kurt Nielsen Photography and Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes!  It started out with me going to church!
Lutheran Churches
Then I took my green screen photo booth to Dayton for the AHA Go Red for Women Luncheon at Sinclair Communtiy College Ponitz Center in downtown Dayton.
American Heart Association Go Red for Women
Then I went to Troy’s 40th birthday party at Davis College, and took Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes with me.
Party Pictures

Birthday Party Ideas
After Troy’s party, we headed to Northwood High School for their after prom party.  It made for a long night, but it was a lot of fun having two photo booth events in the same night.
Prom Pictures
We also helped out Springfield Schools Foundation raise money at their biennial What’s Your Bag Celebrity Bag Auction at Stone Oak Country Club.  It was a very hot and humid night, but everyone had a great time and they raised a lot of money.
Fundraising Ideas
I went to Jason’s Bar Mitzvah at Sylvania Country Club and took Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes with me where everyone got into the picture!
Bar Mitzvah Theme

Bar Mitzvah Ideas
Then I went to a synagogue,
Religious School
and another church.
Religious Pictures
I also had a church group come into the studio for pictures for their directory…….do you think someone is trying to tell me something with all of these religious events I have been photographing?
Church Directory Photographer
I had another very busy day with three events in one day starting with me “almost” going golfing at Levis Commons for the Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio’s Practically a Golf Tournament.
Golf Photos

Golf Pictures

Golf Outing

Fund Raising Ideas
Then I went straight to the Stranahan Theatre Great Hall for Davis College’s graduation.
Graduation Photos

Graduation Pictures
I then headed to downtown Toledo at the Fountain Room in the Erie Street Market for Melissa and Mike’s wedding reception.
Wedding Cake Ideas Pictures
We even had Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes at the reception for added entertainment for their guests.
Photo Booths

Photo Booth Download
I photographed another wedding a couple of days later at Tamaron Country Club.
Wedding Pictures Gallery
I had a couple of seniors from the Class of 2011 come in for some last minute Senior Pictures before they graduated.
Senior Portrait

Photography for Senior Pictures
I also had a Senior Ambassador for the Class of 2012 come in for his senior pics.
Picture Portraits
I photographed Angie and Brandon’s indoor engagement session for their upcoming July wedding.  We were supposed to go outside, but the weather didn’t cooperate, so we did those in June.
Engagement Picture Portraits
I went to a Simply Sensational Dentist.
Business Photographer
I took all of my That’s Me! Portrait Contest winners to meet Ronald McDonald at the Ronald McDonald House here in Toledo.
Portrait Photographer
Plus I had all of the customers who came into my studio.
Childrens Photography

Baby Picture

Portrait Studio Photographer

Maternity Pictures Ideas

Maternity Photos

1st Birthday Party Ideas

Family Photos

Anniversary Photographer

Family Photographer

Sports Photographer

Baby Picture Portraits

Family Pictures

Best Photographers

Portrait Poses

Be sure to check out my website for the most recent news and specials.

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Pet Pictures at Woofers Delight by Kurt Nielsen Photography

So what are you and your pet doing today?
Dog Pictures
I will be at Woofers Delight, 7430 W. Central (past Meijer, near City Barbeque) with my Kurt’s Kustom Keepsakes green screen to do photographs of your pet!  I will have multiple backgrounds to choose from and special package pricing!  You can have your picture taken with your pet, or we can just photograph your pet by his or her self.  These will be very unique photos that you won’t be able to get any where else!
Pet Photography Pricing
Make sure you check out the homemade pet treats while you are at the store!

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